Saddle advice please....

[marinitagsd]

Hi everyone, I've recently gone back to ponies due to my ongoing health issues (not had a pony for over 30yrs! lol) so please accept my apologises if I sound a little "numb"!
I am looking to buy a new saddle, prob a 16.5" for my 14hds welsh section D who doesn't have any withers!
My question is........do I need a pony or a horse sized saddle? Also a good make, I'm not really into synthetic but open to ideas. Any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks
xx

 

[longdog]

Depends on how big you are! 16 or 16.5" would be usual for a 14 hh pony.

 

[marinitagsd]

I'm just under 5'4" and weigh 8 stone 4lbs. The saddle I have at the moment is a 16" but think a 16.5 may be better for both of us.
x

 

[brucethegypsycob]

Don't mean to be flippant but get a proper saddler out - that way you get it right for both you and the pony.

 

[lamlyn2012]

Cobs without withers can be very difficult as saddles tend to slip. I would get a qualified saddler to fit your saddle. Saddles with the three point girth straps are good as they help stop saddle slip.

 

[marinitagsd]

I always get a saddler out to fit my saddles but tend to try find one thats "near enough" that the saddler can flock to fit etc as if I ask them to bring saddles, they are over priced!!
I'm sure many of you will agree with that, just wanted some idea. Pony sized flaps or horse sized? Thanks x

 

[sbloom]

You need measurements, not just someone else's idea of what is horse or pony sized. For someone your size I'd go for a 16.5 with out regular sized flaps, few people whether larger children or more petite adults, need anything else. If you would like advice I can look at pics and advise what Native Pony saddle might work, so that you can try and pick one up second hand. Wide horses are not easy to fit though, so fitting from a wide range of stock, all geared up to wider flatter horses, is much more accurate and successful than trying to predict which one saddle will work.